Root to Rise in Turners Falls, MA is for girls/women and trans/GNC youth ages 14-21 living with:

• Poverty 

• Trauma

• Bullying

• Uncontrollable substance use

• Justice involvement

• Family members’ trauma, substance use, physical or mental health issues, or justice involvement

• Parents’/caregivers’ language or cultural barriers

• Families whose circumstances, life challenges, or lifestyles prevent them from giving you the support you need

• Foster care or aging out of foster care

• Lack of the family/adult support you need, for any reason

 

Our free program provides:
 

• A Safe Space outside home or school that is well-heated in the winter, where you can rest, hang out, shower, do laundry, keep your belongings safe, and eat free, healthy snacks. This comfortable, drop-in space is open Monday to Friday, 2:30-5:30 pm for youth members only.

 

• One-on-One Mentoring with our Founder, Andrea Chesnes, who had a tough time as a teen and has naturally connected with and become a mentor to teen girls/young women and trans/GNC youth. Her mentoring is tailored to the personal needs and desires you express and helps you identify and reach your own goals, one step at a time. Andrea does not try to apply any formulas to your life or have any agenda for what your life should be. She only wants to help you make it what you want. Read more about Andrea here. [links to The Story of Root to Rise] 

 

• Homework & Life Skills Help from adults who will help you figure out your homework, find and apply for a job, create a budget, learn to drive, or any other practical support you may want or need.

 

• Yoga & Meditation Classes to help you connect with and love your body, calm your mind, and build physical and emotional strength and resilience. Youth members can attend any Root to Rise classes for free. Classes are held on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 9:00-10:15 am and Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays 5:45-7:00 pm. See class info here. [links to Holistic Wellness for All page]

 

• Art Projects with guidance from artists.
   

• Gardening, Swimming, and Hiking when the weather is warm. Learn how to grow food in the Root to Rise window boxes and garden plot. Come hiking and swimming with us to enjoy the tranquility of nature, connect with your body, and have fun.
   

• Car Rides for doctors’ visits, grocery shopping, apartment searches, and other important needs. 

 

• Savings Accounts to help you save your money. If you are a minor and cannot get what you need from your parents to be able to open your own savings account, we will open one for you. If/when you are 18 or over, we will help you open your own.

 

• Advocacy & Assistance for practical needs. We will attend school meetings, doctors’ appointments, public assistance meetings, and other appointments with you to help make sure your needs are met. And if you have other needs not listed here, just let us know, and we’ll do what we can. 

 

During the COVID-19 pandemic:
 

• Our safe space is available to members for laundry and showers by appointment only
   

• Mentoring has continued via Zoom, including homework and life skills support
   

• We are still meeting at our garden as weather permits

Interested in joining our program?
Contact Andrea at achesnes@rootstudioinc.org